An Imperfect God

In this groundbreaking work, author Henry Wiencek explores the founding father's engagement with slavery at every stage of his life. Based on a meticulous examination of private papers, court records, and the voluminous Washington archives, Wiencek documents for the first time the moral transformation culminating in Washington's determination to emancipate his slaves. He acted too late to keep the new republic from perpetuating slavery, but his repentance was genuine.

George Washington's heroic stature as Father of Our Country is not diminished in this superb, nuanced portrait: now we see Washington in full as a man of his time and ahead of his time. Softcover; 404 pages.